Our total energy bill decreased enough to break even from the installation/purchase expenses of the geothermal unit in a little under seven years. We're saving money now. Love it.
On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 12:28 PM Dan Penoff via Mercedes < mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > My HVAC guy in Indiana was insistent that I replace my poorly sized 80,000 > BTU gas furnace and 4 ton AC unit for a 4,000 SF house with geothermal. Up > front cost was around $11k but he was insistent my monthly energy bill > would be $100 or less, regardless of the season and condition. > > Had we stayed there I would have taken him up on it. There was a big > annual property tax credit from the state for having geothermal,too. > > -D > > > On Feb 12, 2021, at 1:17 PM, OK Don via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > wrote: > > > > Our geothermal heat pump has been doing fine so far - it's 12°F here now > - > > hasn't turned on the resistive strips yet. It's supposed to get to -7 > > Monday so that will be a real test. The house is a "modular home", code > for > > a gussy'd up double wide, 1600 sq. ft., and leaky. > > > > On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 9:44 AM Curt Raymond via Mercedes < > > mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > > > >> Our wood stove is a Jotul 118 which is a big stove, it'll accept 24" > >> wood. It's in the basement which is usually considered a negative but > our > >> house is small enough (just over 900sqft) that it heats the whole place > >> pretty well although the bedroom stays pretty cool. I set the oil burner > >> thermostat at 62 and then use wood to bring the house to 69-70 all day. > Its > >> back down to 62 by morning but I can have it back up to temp within 2 > hours. > >> This week I've been teaching, for that I sit on our enclosed porch and > run > >> one of those oil filled electric heater. There is hydronic out here but > the > >> circuit is shut off. I figure for only 5-6 hours a day it doesn't make > >> sense to run the oil heat. With the door open the heat from the rest of > the > >> house gets in too. Usually start the electric heat 2-3 hours before > class > >> and shut it off 1 hour before class ends. Figure less than $1 a day... > >> -Curt > >> > >> On Friday, February 12, 2021, 9:12:31 AM EST, Jaime Kopchinski via > >> Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >> > >> We have a Jotul wood insert which is outstanding. Its been cold, under > >> freezing for a few days for the most part. I heat with my minisplits > and > >> the wood insert, but the large 3 zone split stopped working earlier this > >> week. This meant we were running with one 12k split on one end of the > >> house and the wood stove. Still managed to keep the living room in the > low > >> 70s. It would fall into the 60s overnight after the insert started to > burn > >> low. > >> > >> The failure of the Fujitsu was interesting... I self installed, so > assumed > >> no warranty. Initially the failure showed on the indoor units as no > >> communication to the outdoor. The outdoor unit showed no power to the > main > >> board, but was supplying power to the indoor units. I found a blown > fuse > >> on one power supply board, soldered on. I ordered a new fuse from > >> McMaster, checked the obvious places I could for a short, then soldered > it > >> in when it arrived. The unit powered up then, but wouldn't heat and > gave a > >> code for the outdoor unit fan after a while, which wasn't spinning. > More > >> testing showed 400V DC (!) to the fan connector and open circuit on the > fan > >> motor. I ordered up a new fan and installed it yesterday and all is > good > >> now. > >> > >> Cost me about $300 to fix. If I did it by the service manual, I would > have > >> had to replace the power supply board, the main control board, and the > >> fan. Probably would have been a $2000 repair if I called someone. > >> > >> But its a nice reminder how powerful the Jotul insert is. Worst case, I > >> can run the oil fired steam heat still, but it generally costs a > fortune. > >> > >> On Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 6:52 PM Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes < > >> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >> > >>> Actually it does have an insert, with a blower etc and it will throw > out > >> a > >>> lot of heat. I just hate messing with it. > >>> > >>> Sent from my iPhone > >>> > >>>> On Feb 11, 2021, at 5:46 PM, Curt Raymond <curtlud...@yahoo.com> > >> wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> A fireplace is about the least efficient device imaginable, most of > the > >>> heat of the fire shoots up the chimney. A small insert stove would > >>> dramatically increase the heat output. It'd be cleaner too since it > would > >>> have a door that would be closed. > >>>> > >>>> Wood is still a messy way to heat. I've had our wood stove lit pretty > >>> much every day this year. We've gone through probably twice as much > wood > >> as > >>> normal but its just because I've been home. At the same time we've > burned > >>> maybe half as much oil as normal. > >>>> > >>>> It gives me something to do and makes the basement a nice place to sit > >>> with a wobble pop and read. > >>>> > >>>> -Curt > >>>> > >>>> On Thursday, February 11, 2021, 6:20:07 PM EST, Kaleb Striplin via > >>> Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> I like heat pumps. If it comes down to it we also have a wood burning > >>> fireplace. I never use it though as I hate the hassle of messing with > it. > >>>> > >>>> Sent from my iPhone > >>>> > >>>>> On Feb 11, 2021, at 5:12 PM, Dan Penoff via Mercedes < > >>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>> The heat strips are fine, it’s more an issue of a heat pump not > >>> producing the “hot” air people are often accustomed to with gas forced > >> air. > >>> They’re not terribly efficient, either, but that’s the drawback of > >> having a > >>> heat pump. > >>>>> > >>>>> I found it sort of weird with our Indiana house as it has a > >>> conventional gas furnace, so the air that comes out the vents is HOT! > >>> That’s after living in houses with heat pumps for years. > >>>>> > >>>>> -D > >>>>> > >>>>>> On Feb 11, 2021, at 6:07 PM, Floyd Thursby via Mercedes < > >>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>> You should look into some propane backup heaters or something to tie > >>> into your heat pump system. A friend has a heat pump and some sort of > >>> propane system in her house, she is always complaining about having to > >> run > >>> the propane heater but I told her it was better than the electric heat > >>> strips. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> --FT > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> On 2/11/21 5:56 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes wrote: > >>>>>>> And it’s tripped again. Basically if the aux heat runs for any > >>> amount of time it trips. I will shut down the system and swap a couple > of > >>> breakers around and see what happens. > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On Feb 11, 2021, at 4:54 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes < > >>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I guess I could go swap a couple of breakers around in there and > >>> see if the problem follows the breaker. I do not have a clamp on > meter. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I could also see if I can get into the air handler. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On 2/11/2021 4:50 PM, Dan Penoff via Mercedes wrote: > >>>>>>>>> I would suspect the breaker before I would suspect the heat > >>> strips. Heat strips don’t short typically, they fail open. Got a clamp > on > >>> ammeter you can use to check the current draw when they’re on? Then you > >>> would know for sure. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Might want to give the air handler a look to make sure there’s > >>> nothing amiss, like something across the heat strips. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -D > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> On Feb 11, 2021, at 5:47 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes < > >>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>>>> It is in the 20's today and will be into the single digits this > >>> week. One thing I have noticed for quite a while is every now and then > >> the > >>> breaker for the aux heat will be tripped. I usually just reset it and > >> its > >>> fine but the aux heat does not have to run much as it has not been that > >>> cold. When we got back I had it set for 65 and the breaker was tripped > >>> again. I set the temp back to 68 and checked later and the breaker was > >>> tripped again. I reset it and just now checked it and temp is now up > to > >> 68 > >>> and the breaker tripped a 3rd time. In other words, I need to get this > >>> addressed. What could be the cause? Thought about swapping out the > >>> breaker in case it was getting weak but what else could be the cause? > Is > >>> it likely something is shorting in the heat strips itself? Not sure > if I > >>> should investigate and resolve or just turn in a service request to the > >>> home warranty company. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>> -- > >>>>>> --FT > >>>>>> > >>>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>>> > >>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>>> > >>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> _______________________________________ > >>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>>> > >>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>>> > >>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________ > >>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>> > >>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>>> > >>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>> > >>> _______________________________________ > >>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>> > >>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >>> > >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>> > >>> > >> > >> -- > >> Jaime Kopchinski > >> http://www.jaimekop.com/ > >> _______________________________________ > >> http://www.okiebenz.com > >> > >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >> > >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________ > >> http://www.okiebenz.com > >> > >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >> > >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > >> > > > > -- > > OK Don > > > > "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to > > pause and reflect." Mark Twain > > > > “Basic research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I am doing.” > Wernher > > Von Braun > > 2013 F150, 18 mpg > > 2017 Subaru Legacy, 30 mpg > > 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > -- OK Don "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain “Basic research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I am doing.” Wernher Von Braun 2013 F150, 18 mpg 2017 Subaru Legacy, 30 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
